All-time WPIAL boys basketball championship games No. 9: 2007 Leechburg team edges California

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, February 19, 2018 | 7:24 PM

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The TribLive High School Sports Network will be counting down the Top 10 boys and girls WPIAL basketball championship games leading up to the 2018 title games March 1-3 at the Petersen Events Center.

TRIBHSSN is the exclusive audio and video home for all 12 WPIAL championship games, which will be broadcasted and video streamed live at TribHSSN.triblive.com.

Here is the second installment of a 10-part series ranking the top WPIAL boys basketball championship games in district history.

No. 9: 2007 — WPIAL Class A finals: Leechburg 60, California 59

In 2007, Leechburg finished as co-champs with Duquesne in Section 4 and drew the fifth seed in the boys Class A bracket after a 12-10 regular season. After edging top-seeded Serra Catholic in the semifinals 56-55, the Blue Devils were ready to face second-seeded California, which was a dominant 24-2 coming into the title game.

California came out flying and grabbed a seven-point lead just three minutes into the game. Once Leechburg settled into the pace of the championship game, the teams played on an even keel with the Trojans, leading 30-27 at the half.

But California built the lead back up to seven points by early fourth quarter before a 6-0 run by Leechburg made it closer. Then, the Blue Devils took their first lead of the game with just under two minutes left. Later, down by one and with Leechburg holding for the final shot, senior Nick Matviko was fouled and hit the game-tying and championship-winning free throws with 4.2 seconds left.

Donte Valentino played much bigger than his 5-foot-8 frame as he led California with 21 points.

But it wasn't enough against Leechburg's 1-2 punch of Matviko and senior Steve Predebon. Maviko ended up with a game-high 23 points while Predebon added 22 points.

The title was the first and only WPIAL boys basketball championship for the Blue Devils, who were led back through Leechburg and to the high school by four fire trucks and hundreds of fans lining the streets for a heros' welcome.

Don Rebel is a TribLIVE High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.

Tags: California, Leechburg